The Purple Door Detective Agency is hiring.
Those without magic need not apply.
Salary commensurate with experience.
Apply at the agency. No phone calls or psychic links.
Published: September 1st, 2015
The Purple Door Detective Agency is hiring.
Those without magic need not apply.
Salary commensurate with experience.
Apply at the agency. No phone calls or psychic links.
Sunshine Merryweather is a young witch with a passion for colorful clothes and good food. She is the owner/operator of the Purple Door Detective Agency. Her partner, John, was brutally murdered three days ago, and she won’t stop until she finds his killer.
Aine is only interested in one thing when she walks into the building with the purple door–locating the last man alive in the branch of the O’Neill family she haunts as a beane sidhe. She has been asleep for 200 years in a ruined Irish castle and realizes that the world has moved on without her. She needs to find the O’Neill heir and encourage him to start a family or she will pass from existence when he dies.
Sunshine sees a potential partner when she looks at the powerful beane sidhe – they could be the next Dynamic Duo! But Aine isn’t interested in Sunshine’s schemes – until the witch agrees to help her locate O’Neill. Even then, it will be a short-term association at best from Aine’s point of view. She has no need of witchcraft.
Neither woman is aware of the danger they face as an ancient assassin stalks the old port city of Norfolk, Virginia. It will take more than simple witchcraft or beane sidhe magic to stop the killer. They will have to work together and combine their talents.
But can Sunshine and Aine put aside their differences to stop the murders without tearing each other apart?
Joyce and Jim Lavene write award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant.
GUEST POST
Why a Banshee?
by Joyce Lavene
From Be My Banshee
Purple Door Detective Agency #1
I’ve had more than a few people ask this question: Why write about a witch and a banshee running a detective agency together?
The answer must have to be – why not?
First of all, I love witches and other paranormal, supernatural creatures and lore – including the beane sidhe (correct spelling). The beane sidhe is a fascinating creature woven throughout Celtic mythology. She is not evil but rather sad, doomed to haunt a family only to remind them when it’s time to die.
She has several different forms she can use to appear to the family members. There is a beautiful young woman who can appear, helpless and unsure where she is. There is the terrifying crone with skeletal features who seems more a curse. And there is the older woman, gentle and kind, dressed in black mourning clothes.
I think the beane sidhe must have been a strong woman to be treated this way – a woman who did things she probably shouldn’t have done. She was punished for those things by becoming a bane on a family and yet, what she did wasn’t meant to be malicious. The problem seemed to be mainly in the delivery of the message.
How great would it be to team up two women – a witch and a beane sidhe – to solve mysteries? What lurks behind the purple door where they live and work? That’s what I wanted to explore with this book. They say a witch lives behind a purple door – but what if she had a beane sidhe helping her?
Joyce and Jim Lavene write award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant.They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, Amazon, and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family.
Author's Giveaway
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Cover Reveal - In Love in the Time of Murder, the Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives face their toughest case yet.
Release Date: October 5th, 2015
In Love in the Time of Murder, the Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives face their toughest case yet.
Delilah, or Dee as she wishes everyone would just call her already, is the granddaughter of one of the knitting detectives and her life is in a bit of a shambles.
She finally manages to pry herself away from her husband’s clutches, move out on her own, and start her own business. But then her estranged husband is found dead and she’s the number one suspect. The Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives aren’t about to let one of their own get sent to the slammer and jump at the chance to search for the true killer. As if Dee doesn’t have enough problems, the knitting detectives decide that Delilah being a widow is the perfect opportunity to find her a new man and decide to put their matchmaking skills to use.
Will Dee end up in prison for a murder she didn’t commit or will she be taking another walk down the aisle?
About the author:
I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but think I’m a European. After spending my senior year of high school in Germany, I developed a bad case of wanderlust that is yet to be cured. My flying Dutch husband and I have lived in Ohio, Virginia, the Netherlands, Germany and now Istanbul. We still haven’t decided if we want to settle down somewhere – let alone where. I’m leaning towards somewhere I can learn to surf even though the hubby thinks that’s a less than sound way to decide where to live. Although I’ve been a military policewoman, a commercial lawyer, and a B&B owner, I think with writing I may have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. That’s assuming I ever grow up, of course. Between playing tennis, running much slower than I would like, trying to adopt every stray dog within a 5-mile radius, traveling to exotic new locales, singing off tune, drinking entirely too many adult beverages, addictively watching new movies and reading books like they are going out of style, I write articles for a local expat magazine and various websites, review other indie authors’ books, write a blog about whatever comes to mind and am working on my sixth book.
When the family SUV flips and Kimberlee is rushed to the hospital, Black Cat (Thumper) and his soul-mate are left behind. Black Cat loses all memory of his former life and the identity of the lovely feline companion by his side. “Call me Angel. I’m here to take care of you.” Her words set them on a long journey toward home, and life brings them face to face with episodes of joy and sorrow.
The two cats are taken in by John and his young daughter, Cindy, facing foreclosure of the family vineyard and emu farm. In addition, someone is playing increasingly dangerous pranks that threaten Cindy’s safety. Angel makes it her mission to help their new family. John’s prayers are answered in unexpected ways, but not until Angel puts her life at risk to protect the child, and Black Cat finds there are more important things in life than knowing your real name.
GUEST POST
Creating a Series - Thumper, the Cat in the Black Cat Mysteries
The novel: An author writes from her hearts and can’t help but inject many of her own ideas, humor, personality, fears or interests into her characters, particularly the protagonist. Though limited to the physical capabilities of a feline, Thumper, the cat in the Black Cat Mysteries, is best described as having human emotions, thoughts, ideas, and knowledge. With this in mind, Thumper, therefore, is much of me.
As a POV character in Black Cat’s Legacy, Thumper has waited at the lodge for someone to return to solve the cold case murder from 25 years ago. With the aid of his ancestors’ memories, he points out clues to help Kimberlee and her associates solve the mystery. Of course, someone stands in the way and creates chaos. Throw in a bit of romance and intrigue, a touch of espionage and a smidgen of fantasy and you have a real page turner. The sequel: The author engages in a clever dance, writing a sequel to create what happens next. Assuming a mixed audience of fans from our first book and new readers starting with book two, we must give enough of what happened before to understand why this and that is happening in book two without spoiling book one.
Thumper plays a bigger POV role in the sequel, Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer. By meeting his soul-mate, Noe-Noe, a cream tabby with eyes the color or mustard and stripes the color of marigolds, he has opportunity for more POV scenes and humorous conversations. Set on a Texas horse ranch, Thumper must stop a killer bent on harming Grandmother, even though he doesn’t like her very much as she has her own wicked agenda.
The third in the series: The third novel in a series must tie up all the loose ends within the three books, leaving the reader contented with the conclusion. As authors, we must answer all the questions satisfactorily and yet leave just the hint of a possible future plot. In the novel, Black Cat and the Accidental Angel Thumper and Noe-Noe are left behind following an MVA. Thumper suffers a head injury and memory loss. For whatever reason, Noe-Noe says, “Call me Angel. I’m here to take care of you,” refusing to share their previous life. What follows is a journey where Thumper, now called Black Cat in their new home on an Emu farm, experiences a spiritual journey of human emotions that include fear, loss, grief, shame, faith, jealousy, despair and joy as he learns, with the assist of divine intervention, that there are more important things than knowing your own name. (yes…there is an angel)
What’s next? In spite of my intention that my journeys with Black Cat are finished, one never knows what tomorrow brings. After all, as the muse for his character, he still lives within me, kicking and screaming to get out, wanting to share yet another adventure, even as I turn my attention to another series set during WWII.
About the author:
Elaine Faber is an active member of Sisters in Crime, Inspire Christian Writers and Cat Writers Association. Elaine lives in northern CA, with her tolerant husband and four house cats, including a tuxedo cat that looks a lot like Black Cat and three ferals that come to the back door night and morning looking for a hand-out! A portion of the proceeds from her Black Cat mysteries goes toward cat rescue organizations.
Elaine Faber is an active member of Sisters in Crime, Inspire Christian Writers and Cat Writers Association. Elaine lives in northern CA, with her tolerant husband and four house cats, including a tuxedo cat that looks a lot like Black Cat and three ferals that come to the back door night and morning looking for a hand-out! A portion of the proceeds from her Black Cat mysteries goes toward cat rescue organizations. Elaine Faber’s short stories are published in magazines and multiple anthologies. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, Inspire Christian Writers and Cat Writers Association.
Elaine is author of the Black Cat Mysteries involving Thumper, the cat who solves mysteries with the aid of his ancestor’s memories: Black Cat’s Legacy; Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer, and Black Cat and the Accidental Angel.
Elaine lives in Elk Grove with her husband of 51 years. (That’s a marriage of 51 years, not a husband of 51 years). They share their home with four house cats, the inspiration for her Black Cat Mysteries. A portion of the sales proceeds goes to animal rescue programs.
Author's Giveaway
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"Jay Mims has an ability to create truly likeable characters. I loved Dan and Abbey fromThe Five Santas and I am ecstatic that Mims brought them back for more. "- Goodreads, Karen (about The Cult of Koo Kway)
The Five Santas
Dan Landis is a private investigator who makes his living peeping in windows and taking compromising photos to make a quick buck. But, even adultery has an off-season, and to make some quick cash, Dan’s been hired by a department store to work as a loss prevention agent.
Then he finds Santa stuffed behind a dumpster. One Santa leads to another, and before he knows it, Dan’s up to his sugar plums in murder, intrigue and holiday cheer. It’s up to Dan to save Christmas, find the Kringle Killer and choose the perfect gift for the quirky blonde in his life.
The Cult of Koo Kway
When Dan Landis wakes up handcuffed and threatened by a colander wielding high-heeled beauty, he knows it’s Tuesday. And when a hapless blonde is in danger of being mugged, his best friend shows up poisoned in his kitchen, and his sister wants him to track down a cowboy named Tex, Dan knows he’s in trouble.
Dan and his faithful sidekick Abbey return for this new mystery, as college professors keep disappearing, students end up poisoned, and someone keeps trying to kill Dan. And all signs point to an obscure film called The Cult of Koo Kway. As the clock ticks, Abbey and Dan must work together to save the day.
Dan Landis had a simple plan. Drive to a quaint bed and breakfast, spend New Year’s with his best friend Doc, and enjoy a much-needed vacation. Except, he didn’t account for everyone’s favorite klutzy genius Abbey.
Now there’s a body in the library, snow all around, and a mansion full of suspects. Dan must call on his best detective skills, and his worst Hercule Poirot impersonation, to solve this latest mystery. However, the awful truth looms overhead everyone, whatever the answer, nothing will ever be the same.
Racing the Storm
The storm is here. Dan Landis, private investigator, has been hired by his defense attorney sister to do the impossible. In order to create a miracle, Dan must call on his friends and family, endangering them and putting a target on his own back.
Dan is on the run, his home is in flames, and the bad guys have murder on their minds. The skys reddened in The Five Santas, the clouds began to darken in Cult of Koo Kway, and the thunder rumbled in The Gray Ghost Inn. At last, the storm is here. And everything is about to change.
From: The Five Santas
Years of living by your wits had given Dan a sixth sense for trouble. It was the same instinct that kept cops and school teachers alive. Someone was watching him. Dan glanced around, but she wasn’t hard to find. The floor was supposed to be empty; the store had barely been open five minutes. She stood over by the unattended jewelry display, smiling.
Her red hair shone like a beacon, splashing against the green of her sweater. She wore a Christmas tree sweater, complete with ornaments and lights. The lights even blinked synchronously, probably to O Tannenbaum. Her smile was dazzling.
Dan had learned the hard way, never to trust a smiling face. Particularly a smile attached to a gorgeous red head, one with the air of someone who knew exactly how attractive she was. Her emerald eyes twinkled with laughter. She winked at him. And then she bolted, her giant matching green knitted purse flopping from side to side as it bounced off her hip. That purse looked like it could hide a refrigerator. Or a whole lot of jewelry.
Of course, Dan thought, a supremely attractive shoplifter would choose first thing in the morning to play cat and mouse. It was just his luck. He took off after her. The lady could move. Dan had a lot of experience running, mostly from other people, but this cutie was booking it. Right for the Emergency Exit. He picked up speed, ignoring the sheer agony pounding inside his head. He desperately wished he had gotten some aspirin first.
The redhead hit the emergency exit a beat ahead of Dan, and the heavy door was just closing when he flung it open. Part of him noted that the fire alarm hadn’t gone off. That could be a problem. On the bright side, it wasn’t HIS problem. A sexy thief was his problem. Thank God for small favors. The crisp morning air hit him like a hammer; the sunrise was bright, almost blinding. Dan hated when the weather sent mixed signals. If you were going to have blistering cold, don’t also be bright and sunshiny. It was such a tease.
With a shock he realized the alley was empty.
Dan listened, but there were no running footsteps, and the alley had a good 50 yards of space in either direction. No one here but Dan, some dumpsters, and a whole lot of nothing. He sighed. She was probably in one of the dumpsters. Or behind one of them. On a whim he looked up. No green eyes were staring impishly down at him from the roof. Of course, there was no ladder nearby, but Dan wouldn’t have been surprised if she could fly. She had that magical look to her. He glanced down, but there were no manholes, open or otherwise within eyesight. Resigned, he headed toward the nearest dumpster.
“How come I always end up in a dumpster?” he asked no one in particular. The dumpster didn’t answer, instead it just looked nasty, tetanus filled, and generally uninviting.
“These pants are IRONED!” Dan yelled, lashing out with one foot.
It wasn’t until his foot connected with the surprisingly solid dumpster that he remembered he was wearing dress shoes. His foot thumped against the metal, pain shot up his leg. Dan hopped up and down, holding his foot.
“FUNKY BUTT LOVING!” he howled.
Then he saw the dead Santa Claus stuffed behind the dumpster.
“Oh,” he said, still holding his foot, “That’s not good.”
EXCERPT
From: The Five Santas
Years of living by your wits had given Dan a sixth sense for trouble. It was the same instinct that kept cops and school teachers alive. Someone was watching him. Dan glanced around, but she wasn’t hard to find. The floor was supposed to be empty; the store had barely been open five minutes. She stood over by the unattended jewelry display, smiling.
Her red hair shone like a beacon, splashing against the green of her sweater. She wore a Christmas tree sweater, complete with ornaments and lights. The lights even blinked synchronously, probably to O Tannenbaum. Her smile was dazzling.
Dan had learned the hard way, never to trust a smiling face. Particularly a smile attached to a gorgeous red head, one with the air of someone who knew exactly how attractive she was. Her emerald eyes twinkled with laughter. She winked at him. And then she bolted, her giant matching green knitted purse flopping from side to side as it bounced off her hip. That purse looked like it could hide a refrigerator. Or a whole lot of jewelry.
Of course, Dan thought, a supremely attractive shoplifter would choose first thing in the morning to play cat and mouse. It was just his luck. He took off after her. The lady could move. Dan had a lot of experience running, mostly from other people, but this cutie was booking it. Right for the Emergency Exit. He picked up speed, ignoring the sheer agony pounding inside his head. He desperately wished he had gotten some aspirin first.
The redhead hit the emergency exit a beat ahead of Dan, and the heavy door was just closing when he flung it open. Part of him noted that the fire alarm hadn’t gone off. That could be a problem. On the bright side, it wasn’t HIS problem. A sexy thief was his problem. Thank God for small favors. The crisp morning air hit him like a hammer; the sunrise was bright, almost blinding. Dan hated when the weather sent mixed signals. If you were going to have blistering cold, don’t also be bright and sunshiny. It was such a tease.
With a shock he realized the alley was empty.
Dan listened, but there were no running footsteps, and the alley had a good 50 yards of space in either direction. No one here but Dan, some dumpsters, and a whole lot of nothing. He sighed. She was probably in one of the dumpsters. Or behind one of them. On a whim he looked up. No green eyes were staring impishly down at him from the roof. Of course, there was no ladder nearby, but Dan wouldn’t have been surprised if she could fly. She had that magical look to her. He glanced down, but there were no manholes, open or otherwise within eyesight. Resigned, he headed toward the nearest dumpster.
“How come I always end up in a dumpster?” he asked no one in particular. The dumpster didn’t answer, instead it just looked nasty, tetanus filled, and generally uninviting.
“These pants are IRONED!” Dan yelled, lashing out with one foot.
It wasn’t until his foot connected with the surprisingly solid dumpster that he remembered he was wearing dress shoes. His foot thumped against the metal, pain shot up his leg. Dan hopped up and down, holding his foot.
“FUNKY BUTT LOVING!” he howled.
Then he saw the dead Santa Claus stuffed behind the dumpster.
“Oh,” he said, still holding his foot, “That’s not good.”
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About the author:Jay Mims, better known as Mimsey, lives two miles past nowhere with The Mimsus. He also accidentally adopted his neighbor’s cat, Eartha Kitty, has a lizard named Bob hiding in his house, and has a passive-aggressive Dalek roommate named Steve. When not writing cozy mysteries, Jay teaches and is learning knitting. Jay is currently working on knitting a cape. Capes are cool.
